Review: CONNETIX Rainbow Ball Run, worth £78

Review by VIP Club Member Jane Dungate-Wilkes

As the parent of a toddler, I'm always looking for toys that will hold my daughter's attention while encouraging her creativity and development, and the CONNETIX Rainbow Ball Run has been a fantastic addition to our playroom. From the moment we opened the box, she was fascinated by the bright colours and loved watching the balls race through the different tunnels and pieces.

The quality is excellent. The magnetic tiles are sturdy, the colours are vibrant, and all of the pieces feel well made and built to last. While my daughter is still too young to build ball runs on her own, she enjoys helping to put pieces together, sending the balls down the tracks, and knocking everything down to start again. It's a toy that I can see growing with her as her building skills and imagination develop.

One of the things I love most is how it encourages screen-free play. We spend lots of time building together, talking about colours, counting the balls, and experimenting with different layouts. It's been a lovely way to play together while introducing simple concepts like cause and effect and problem-solving in a fun, hands-on way.

There are a couple of small drawbacks. Some of the tunnel pieces don't always attach to the magnetic tiles as securely as I'd like. If the structure gets knocked, a section can sometimes come loose and need reattaching. I've also found that removing the tunnel pieces from the tiles can be quite tricky for little hands. My daughter often asks for help separating them, so younger children are likely to need some adult assistance.

My biggest criticism is the price. While the quality is undeniable, I do think the set is a little too expensive for what you get, especially if you're just starting a CONNETIX collection. It's a significant investment, and although we've had plenty of use from it, I'd love to see it priced a bit more affordably to make it accessible to more families.

Overall, I would recommend the CONNETIX Rainbow Ball Run to other parents, especially if they can find it on sale somewhere! Despite a couple of minor frustrations with the connections and the fiddly removal of some pieces, the quality, educational value, and endless opportunities for imaginative play make it a toy that I can see remaining a favourite in our home for years to come.  

Available to buy from Connetix